1
as in controversies
variance of opinion on a matter
a dispute over the proper pronunciation of "nuclear"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disagreements
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
after much dispute, the school committee decided that all backpacks would have to be stored in lockers during class hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in challenges
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
a whole slew of relatives eager to dispute his claim to being the sole heir
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bickers
to express different opinions about something often angrily
hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in debates
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
in an extended session the city council disputed the need for a new high school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disputes
Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
The agreement also settles two other disputes that have bogged down the case with appeals.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Claims disputes are also an issue with Choice Home Warranty, but that’s pretty common among warranty companies.
—Jamela Adam, USA Today, 7 May 2026
These disputes could be related to money, cash flow, earnings or something that someone owns (especially you).
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
But the project soon devolved into delays, finger-pointing and contract disputes, the Tribune found in a 2019 investigation.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
The disputes, which began last year, have dragged out for an unusually long time and left thousands of people locked out of in-network care at the public hospital systems.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Instead, a combination of internal disputes, instability around Alvaro Arbeloa’s position and the fact that several players are facing an uncertain future means the picture is one of discord and despondency.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 5 May 2026
The apparent goal is to discredit accusers in public — then circulate the smears to their social circles — as well as demoralize adversaries amid legal disputes, forcing quiet settlements on preferred terms.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Hialeah Public Works Director Kevin Lynskey disputes HSA’s claims and told the Herald that the health system has repeatedly ignored emails from the city, including as recently as April, to start the account creation process.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026
The city disputes the privatization claim, saying that the city and Boston Public Schools will maintain ownership of the stadium under a 10-year lease agreement with Boston Legacy.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
Manager disputes underfunding claims Halburnt has been Federal Heights’ city manager since 2012, working as the city’s top administrative official.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
Albertsons disputes the claims.
—Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2026
The Navy's response The Navy claims its testing did not exceed federal limits and disputes the extent of the contamination off site.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
No one disputes that foreign influence exists or that national security concerns should be taken seriously.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Bayer disputes the cancer claims but has set aside $16 billion to settle cases, and proposed a major settlement earlier this year.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
Democrats see it as a frivolous investigation that lays the groundwork for disputes during the midterms and sows doubts about the integrity of the state’s electoral process.
—Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
The agreement also settles two other disputes that have bogged down the case with appeals.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Claims disputes are also an issue with Choice Home Warranty, but that’s pretty common among warranty companies.
—Jamela Adam, USA Today, 7 May 2026
These disputes could be related to money, cash flow, earnings or something that someone owns (especially you).
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
But the project soon devolved into delays, finger-pointing and contract disputes, the Tribune found in a 2019 investigation.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
The disputes, which began last year, have dragged out for an unusually long time and left thousands of people locked out of in-network care at the public hospital systems.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Instead, a combination of internal disputes, instability around Alvaro Arbeloa’s position and the fact that several players are facing an uncertain future means the picture is one of discord and despondency.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 5 May 2026
The apparent goal is to discredit accusers in public — then circulate the smears to their social circles — as well as demoralize adversaries amid legal disputes, forcing quiet settlements on preferred terms.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
The church disputes those allegations and has denied any wrongdoing.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Hialeah Public Works Director Kevin Lynskey disputes HSA’s claims and told the Herald that the health system has repeatedly ignored emails from the city, including as recently as April, to start the account creation process.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026
The city disputes the privatization claim, saying that the city and Boston Public Schools will maintain ownership of the stadium under a 10-year lease agreement with Boston Legacy.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
Manager disputes underfunding claims Halburnt has been Federal Heights’ city manager since 2012, working as the city’s top administrative official.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
Albertsons disputes the claims.
—Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2026
The Navy's response The Navy claims its testing did not exceed federal limits and disputes the extent of the contamination off site.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
No one disputes that foreign influence exists or that national security concerns should be taken seriously.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Bayer disputes the cancer claims but has set aside $16 billion to settle cases, and proposed a major settlement earlier this year.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disputes
Noun
-
Some complaints derive from the film brushing aside many of the late King of Pop’s controversies, while others criticize the factual problems of Michael’s life and career, including missing family members.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The controversies clearly didn’t stop fans from attending, as Michael smashed the all-time record for an opening for a biopic, earning $97 million at the domestic box office and $217 million globally.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
New reports don’t end disagreements The latest raft of reporting, with mysterious figures and unexplained sounds, has not yet made a believer out of skeptic Benjamin Radford.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
The new restaurant takes over the former Biscuit & Hogs space, which closed amid legal disagreements.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Speaking with the Tribune on Monday, Talley’s mother, Tamika Vaughen, said her son has been in and out of treatment facilities and medicated for mental health challenges his entire life.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The book, along with the show and 50 artists, really challenges old notions of what textile is.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The pope, played by Samora la Perdida, is a mincing oaf who bickers with Galas about the value of translating Wagner.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Data center debates takeover small town Texas Many state and local officials welcome the blossoming industry as an economic opportunity in small communities where revenue can be hard to come by.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
-
Lesch plays the savior’s anguished betrayer not as an intellectual equal who fiercely debates him and loses all patience with the movement.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Avoid money quarrels with everyone.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … SECURITY SHAKEUP — Lawmaker questions hotel metal detector setup at Correspondent's Dinner.—
,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, there has been a major shift in Washington’s regulatory tone and outlook, creating opportunities but also questions about the longevity of changes in rules.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disputes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disputes. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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